Interact

Interact is a service club for young people ages 14-18. Sponsored by local Rotary clubs, Interact clubs give young people an opportunity to participate in fun, meaningful service projects while developing leadership skills and meeting new friends. Interact is an international organization that fosters leadership and responsible citizenship and promotes international understanding and peace.

The name was created by combining the words "international" and "action." Interact clubs are sponsored by Rotary clubs as a program of Rotary International. Rotary clubs provide guidance and inspiration, but the Interact clubs are self-governing and self-supporting. Clubs take a variety of forms, both single-gender and mixed as well as large and small. The membership base of a club can be drawn from the student body of a single school or from two or more schools from the same community.

Interact clubs are encouraged to - Be school-based or community-based; Have a Rotarian adviser and a faculty adviser for school-based clubs; Meet at least twice a month. Interactors must attend 60% of regularly scheduled meetings; Require no financial support from the sponsoring Rotary club.

Each year, Interact clubs complete at least one community service project and at least one project that furthers international understanding and goodwill. Interactors develop a worldwide network of friendships through exchanges with local and overseas clubs. Along the way, Interactors develop their leadership skills and initiative while meeting new friends.

Through their service activities, Interactors learn the importance of:

developing leadership skills and personal integrity

demonstrating helpfulness and respect for others

understanding the value of individual responsibility and hard work

advancing international understanding and goodwill

The first Interact club was initiated in 1962 by the Rotary Club of Melbourne, Florida, USA. Two months later, the first Interact club outside the United States was established in Tanjore, India. Today there are more than 9,000 clubs in over 110 countries with an estimated membership of 200,000 youth worldwide.

How to Organize a Club

Form an Interact subcommittee.

Identify the membership base.

Hold informational and organizational meetings.

Complete the Interact Club Organization List.

Submit the list to Rotary International.

Interact clubs - allow Rotary’s new generations to be involved in community life and develop skills to become responsible and productive members of society. Are one of the most significant and fastest growing programs of Rotary service.